The 2018 Latour Martillac is a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This vintage is noted for its deep garnet-purple color and a robust profile, with an alcohol content of 14.5%. The wine is produced by Latour Martillac and is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot.
James Suckling, from jamessuckling.com, awarded this wine a score of 93, describing it as having “aromas of blackcurrant, spiced cherry, charred wood, and some smoked meat.” He notes the wine’s medium to full body with firm, fine-grained tannins and suggests it will be better from 2024 onwards.
Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss gave the wine an excellent score of 95, highlighting its ageworthiness and rich tannins balanced by “dark, juicy blackberry fruits.” He advises that the wine needs more time to mature and recommends drinking it from 2026.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, also rated the wine 93 points. She detailed its “bold notes of baked blackberries, plum preserves, and redcurrant jelly,” complemented by hints of garrigue, pencil shavings, and menthol. Perrotti-Brown praised its sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and the long, earthy finish.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com echoed similar sentiments with a 93-point score, noting the presence of “vanilla, plums, and smoky red fruits” on the nose. He described the wine as silky, medium-bodied, and fresh, with a touch of cocoa in the finish, and regarded it as possibly the finest vintage of La Tour-Martillac he has ever tasted.
Decanter provided a slightly lower score of 92, emphasizing the wine’s seductive, velvety, and generous nature. The review highlighted its scents of berries, herbs, and peonies, and commended its balance despite the high alcohol content.
Wine Spectator’s J.M. also gave it 93 points, describing it as “sleek, with mesquite-infused cassis” and additional notes of iron, sanguine, and tobacco. The wine is advised to be consumed from now through 2032.
Jeb Dunnuck, on jebdunnuck.com, rated it 92 points, praising its “plump, up-front, and nicely textured” character with a mix of red and black fruits, classic Graves notes of damp earth, and a medium to full body. He noted its ripe tannins and wonderful purity and elegance on the palate.
Lastly, Jane Anson on janeanson.com awarded it 92 points, describing it as “powerful with impact” and full of rich fruits like blackberry, black cherry, and ripe fig. She also noted smoked cedar and clove, suggesting more time in the bottle is needed.
Overall, the 2018 Latour Martillac is a well-received and highly rated wine, recommended for aging to fully appreciate its complex and balanced profile.